Greetings and Blessings!

It it a joy to be serving the Second Congregational Church, UCC in Beverly, MA as your Pastor & Transitional Minister. I've been here since April 5, 2021. We're in the early phases of evaluating where the church is and the work it will undertake in this part of their life together, The first and primary challenge is determining when, where and how best to worship and what the changing pandemic circumstances mean for gathering. We're also working to stay connected and vital in the face of all the pandemic and post-pandemic challenges. We have 'only just begun' our partnership in ministry led by the power of the Holy Spirit.

My greatest joys are in encouraging all people to know that they are God’s beloved children, and in sharing thanks and praise to God in worship. As a life-long United Church of Christ member, I deeply appreciate the community, service, and social justice emphases we share as a church and denomination. I also love just hanging out with folks of all and every age, and talking or playing and praying together!

I am committed to helping churches in pastoral transition as they seek to engage our increasingly secular society while continuing our long history of deeply faithful worship, of service to community and world, and to nurturing spiritual growth in folks of all ages. As our world and culture change, I strongly believe that the church must also change to ensure that people feel welcomed, affirmed, and cared for, just as they are.

My love for God and church began as a child, waned in my teenage & college years, and came back as a great surprise to me as a young adult. I have served as a pastor, interim pastor, and non-profit social justice program director in Massachusetts and New Hampshire during my 37 years in ministry. I hold an undergraduate degree from The College of Wooster (Ohio) in Philosophy and Economics, and a Masters of Divinity from Yale Divinity School (CT).

I live in Danvers, Mass. with my spouse of 37 years, Johanna (“Jo”) Hattendorf, a former pastor, now a body, mind and spirit therapist who specializes in trauma recovery. We enjoy spending time with family and friends, vacationing in our beloved Adirondack mountains, reading, biking, and playing/cuddling with our dear companion animals – currently Toby the poodle and a cat named Grayson.

Since you are reading this, I hope to meet you and look forward to sharing God’s love and peace together.

With joy,

Lisa